Wildfires force thousands to flee
Less heat, calmer winds help crews
SANTA MARIA, Calif. — Wildfires barreled across the baking landscape of the western U.S., destroying a smattering of homes, forcing thousands to flee and temporarily trapping children and counselors at a California campground.
Here’s a look at the wildfires blackening the West.
Northern California
In Northern California, a wildfire swept through grassy foothills in the Sierra Nevada and destroyed at least 10 structures and threatened more than 750 homes.
The blaze about 60 miles north of Sacramento grew rapidly to more than 7 square miles and was nearly 20 percent contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The area burning was about 10 miles south of Oroville, where spillways in the nation’s tallest dam began crumbling from heavy rains this winter and led to temporary evacuation orders for 200,000 residents downstream.
Authorities said the fire sent hundreds of people fleeing from their homes.
Southern California
Southern California residents and campers were sent scrambling by twofiresatseparateendsofsanta Barbara County.
Crews were getting a break from slightly cooler temperatures and diminishing winds Sunday as they battled the blazes that destroyed structures and closed a highway.
“Theplanistohititwithairtankers to keep it from moving to the south and to the east,” said county fire Capt. Dave Zaniboni. “There’s less heat and less wind, which makes things a little easier.”
There was minimal containment, and flames shut down State Route 154, which is expected to remain closed for days. At least 20 structures burned.
About 90 children and 50 counselors were stuck Saturday at the Circle V Ranch and had to take shelter until they could be safely evacuated. Buildings have burned, but officials weren’t yet sure if they were homes.
Crews were also using an air attack against another blaze about 50 miles north that exploded in size to 37.5 square miles. About 200 rural homes east of Santa Maria were evacuated after the fire broke out Saturday and was fed by dry gusts.
Elsewhere in the West
In rural Arizona, fire officials say three homes were among 10 buildings that were burned. The wildfire there has led to the evacuation of the entire town of Dudleyville, about 100 miles southeast of Phoenix.
A wildfire burning near Summer Lake in south-central Oregon has destroyed a hunting cabin and an outbuilding.
And in Nevada, fire officials have ordered evacuations for a wildfire that is near the same area where another blaze has already burned for days.